Kamakura Great Buddha Guide

This guide is for travelers visiting the iconic bronze Buddha. It answers: “How to visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura?”

Quick Facts

Best for: History buffs, photographers
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Access: Hase Station (Enoden) or bus from Kamakura Station
Admission: ¥300 (+ ¥50 to enter inside)

Overview

Kamakura Great Buddha Guide - Image 2 — Photo by Dirk Beyer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in temple is a 13-meter bronze statue cast in 1252. Originally housed in a great hall that was destroyed by a tsunami in 1498, the Buddha has sat in the open air ever since.

The Buddha

Viewing

The statue depicts Amida Buddha in meditation pose. Walk around for different perspectives. Morning light illuminates the face best.

Close-up view of the Kamakura Great Buddha's face, showing its meditative expression. — Great Buddha’s Face — Photo by Dirk Beyer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Inside the Buddha

For an extra ¥50, you can enter the hollow statue through a door in the back. See the construction and casting marks from inside. Brief but unique experience.

Interior view of the Kamakura Great Buddha, showing its hollow structure and casting marks. — Inside the Great Buddha — Photo by Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Nearby

Hase-dera Temple – 5-minute walk. Large Kannon statue, garden, and Jizo statues.

The eleven-headed Kannon statue inside Hase-dera Temple. — Hase-dera Kannon — Photo by Zairon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Tips

Crowds: Very busy on weekends. Visit weekday mornings.
Photography: Classic shot from directly in front with incense burner.

Getting There

From Narita Airport (NRT)

Recommended (Premium): Take the JR Narita Express (N’EX) (red & white) from Terminal 1 or 2 directly to Ofuna Station or Kamakura Station in approximately 110 minutes. Terminal 3 users must take a shuttle or walk to Terminal 2. Budget: The JR Sobu Line (Rapid) 🔵 runs directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 140 minutes but is a standard commuter train. Mid-range: Take the Keisei Skyliner 🔵 to Nippori, then transfer to the JR Joban/Ueno-Tokyo Line to reach the area.

From Haneda Airport (HND)

Recommended (Mid-range): Take the Keikyu Line 🔴 from any terminal (T1, T2, T3) to Yokohama Station. At Yokohama, transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line 🔵 to Kamakura Station. The total journey takes approximately 60–70 minutes. Premium: Airport Limousine Buses are available from Haneda to Ofuna Station or Fujisawa Station, requiring a short local train ride to reach Kamakura.

From Major Stations

From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yokosuka Line 🔵 directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 60 minutes.
From Shinjuku Station: Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line 🟠 directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 60 minutes. Alternatively, the Odakyu Line 🔵 offers the “Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass” for a budget-friendly scenic route via Fujisawa.
From Shibuya Station: Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line 🟠 directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 55 minutes.

Local Access

The Great Buddha is located at Kotoku-in Temple. From Kamakura Station, transfer to the Enoshima Electric Railway, known as the “Enoden” 🟢, and ride to Hase Station (approximately 5 minutes). From Hase Station, it is approximately a 7–10 minute walk to the temple. Alternatively, buses run from Kamakura Station East Exit directly to the “Daibutsu-mae” bus stop. IC cards (Suica, PASMO) are accepted on all trains and buses.

Sources

Official site: Kotoku-in

Last updated: 2026-02-03